In this advanced training guide, you'll learn how to:

• Create Custom Asset Fields and Saved Asset Searches, then use them in a real-world example to capture and track missing Bitlocker keys.
• Use Network Discovery to bring unknown assets (like printers) into your environment, then set up SNMP and OID monitoring to receive immediate status alerts (e.g., low toner or online status).
• Archive Assets that are no longer needed to maintain a clean and current list.

Step 1: Create Custom Asset Fields

Custom Asset Fields help you to gather any additional information you want about assets, which you can then use in Saved Asset Searches, as a condition in an Automated Remediation, or simply to have that information available on an Asset's Details page.

Watch this short video to see an example of how one MSP populated his custom asset fields using a script:

Read more about Custom Fields for Assets & Tickets. Then create a few Custom Asset Fields you'd find useful.

Step 2: Create Saved Asset Searches

If you repeatedly search for Assets that meet certain criteria, you may want to create and save a custom asset search. Saved Asset Searches are also used in other parts of the platform, such as automated billing, running scripts, and generating reports.

For example, if you want to regularly reach out to Organizations whose assets are missing an antivirus, you can create a custom asset search with the “Missing Antivirus” box checked to easily locate them.

Watch this short video to learn more:

Use the step-by-step instructions in Create & Save a Custom Asset Search and do this now. (Bonus: Use one of your Custom Asset fields from Step 1 in your saved search.)

Step 3: Capture Missing Bitlocker Keys (Example)

Let's take a look at how we can use a Custom Asset Field and a Saved Asset Search together with a setup script to locate and capture missing Bitlocker keys. 

Create a Custom Field to Store Bitlocker Key

First, create the Custom Asset Field that will store the asset's Bitlocker key: 

1. Navigate to Admin > Customers - Asset Custom Fields.
2. In the Syncro Device row, click “Manage Fields.”
3. Click +New Field.
4. Enter a name such as "Bitlocker_Key_C.“ 
5. Click Create Asset Field. (Keep the Field Type as a Text Field.) 

Import Script to Capture the Key

Tip: Skip steps 1-3 by going directly to https://admin.syncromsp.com/shared_scripts/2010.

Next, import the script that will capture the Bitlocker key:

1. Navigate to the Scripts tab.
2. From the View menu, select Community Script Library.
3. Search for “Bitlocker C” to locate the script called “Simple Bitlocker C Drive Recovery Key Script.” 
4. Click Import to My Scripts. 

For reference, this is the script's Code:

Import-Module $env:SyncroModule
$key = (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint C).KeyProtector.recoverypassword
Set-Asset-Field -Name "Bitlocker_Key_C" -Value $key

Run the Script on Your Assets

Next, run the Simple Bitlocker C Drive Recovery Key Script on your assets. See Use Scripts for step-by-step instructions.

Tip: You may also want to customize your Asset table to display the Bitlocker_Key_C custom asset field. See Use and Customize the Assets Table for details.

Create a Saved Asset Search to Locate Machines Without a Bitlocker Key

Now, you can create and use a saved asset search to identify any Assets that don't have the Bitlocker key stored. 

Follow these steps when creating your Saved Asset Search:

1. At the bottom of the New Saved Asset Search window, click Add Property Condition.
2. In the dropdown field that appears, select the Custom Asset Field you created in Create a Custom Field to Store the Bitlocker Key. (We called it “Bitlocker_Key_C.”)
3. Choose the “does not contain” operator.
4. In the text field, enter the minus/dash character (-).
   
5. Click Save.

Add a Setup Script to a Policy

If you have a Starter Policy or a Default Workstation Policy, it's best practice to add this script as a Setup Script that always runs. 

1. Navigate to the Policies tab.
2. Create a policy or click an existing policy to edit it.
3. Select the Scripting policy category on the left.
4. From the Add a Scripting Option menu, select Setup Scripts:
   1. In the first dropdown menu, select "Simple Bitlocker C Drive Recovery Key Script". 
   2. In the second, select “Always.”
5. Click Save Policy.

If this is something you'd like to do in your own Syncro account, set it up now.

Step 4: Discover & Monitor a New Printer (Example)

Let's look at an example of how you can bring a previously unknown and unmonitored printer into your environment using Network Discovery, and then get notified about what's happening with it (e.g., online status, toner low, etc.) using SNMP and OID monitoring.

Revisit Your Network Discovery Profile

To reduce any anxiety you may have about unknown devices accidentally getting connected to your network, ensure you've configured your Network Discovery Profile to run every two (2) hours and to notify you about new devices. You should also enable the SNMP settings so that the scans can properly identify and pull in data about any located devices:

Note: Don't forget that for notifications to work, you must also specify values for the “Network Discovery - Device Discovered” event in your relevant Notification Sets.

Manually Create an Asset with SNMP Enabled

Let's say a scan discovers a new printer that you'd like to manage. You can't install the Syncro Agent on this type of device, but you can create a manual asset using information from the scan:

Add an OID Monitor

Now that you have the Printer as a managed asset, you can add OID monitors that will trigger alerts when events happen, such as the printer going offline or getting low on toner.

1. Navigate to the printer Asset's Details Page, then click Edit.
2. Click the SNMP Details subtab, and make sure the SNMP Enabled box is checked:
   
3. Click +Add Custom Monitor. You can create your own, or leverage the Shared OID Recipes in the Syncro Community.
   Tip: View these linked documents to learn more about creating OID Monitors and OID (Monitor) Recipes.

If this is something you'd like to do in your own Syncro account, revisit the Network Discovery profile you previously created to make sure the settings are as described here. (Bonus: Check out the Shared OID Recipes in the Syncro Community so you know what's available.)

Step 5: Archive Assets 

One last thing about Assets: The Archive Assets feature offers a clean, structured way to retire devices from active use, which is necessary for maintaining historical visibility across tickets, alerts, and reports. 

By archiving, you preserve Technician efficiency and ensure clean system hygiene, while also maintaining an accurate billing process by avoiding charges for inactive devices.

Watch this short video to learn more:

Learn more about when Archiving Assets might be a good idea, and what happens when you archive assets.